Apparatus for flashing filaments



(No Model.)

I-I. LEMP.

APPARATUS FOR FLASHING PILAMBNTS.

BIO/440,759. I Patented Nov. l8 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMANN LEMP, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SCHUY- LER ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CONNECTICUT.

APPARATUS FOR FLASHING Fl LAMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 440,759, dated November 18, 1890.

Application filed February 1, 1889.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERMANN LEMP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Method and Apparatus for Flashing Filaments for Incandescent Lamps, of which the following is such a full, clear, and exact description as will enable any one skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to construct an apparatus of peculiar arrangement for flashing the filaments for incandescent lamps, which will automatically control the same, so that when the filament reaches the desired resistance or cross-section it will be automatically cut out of circuit.

The invention consists .in an arrangement of circuits and devices, substantially as herein described, whereby the above may be accomplished, the novel features of which will be pointed out in the claims appended hereto. A constant current is employed, and devices for flashing two or more filaments at the same time may be arranged in series in the constant-current circuit.

The figure represented in the drawing illus trates a diagrammatic View of one of my flashing devices.

L is the main-line, supplying a constant current to a subsidiary line Z, connected with preferably the positive terminal thereof. The current passes from the line Z to a point D, where it splits into three parts and passes over the circuits 1 2 3. In the circuit 1 are arranged carbons E F, the former of which may be stationary and the latter of which is provided with ahandle for manual operation, and has also a spiral spring G encircling it, imparting to it a tendency to maintain contact with the carbon E. From the carbon F the circuit 1 passes to a contact-arm O, insulated from a frame N. This frame contains a high-resistance solenoid H in the circuit of theline 2, the other end of which circuit is connected with theframe N at a, or at any other point thereof. Within the solenoid H works Serial No. 298,323. (No model.)

cased by a globe A, containing a hydrocarbon 6o enveloping-body, supplied thereto by a pipe C, passing through the stopper of the globe A. The circuit 3 is also preferably connected with, the negative terminal of the main line L.

S is a switch by which the apparatus may be cut out of circuit, if desired.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: When the switch S is thrown open, the current passes to the line Z, and at D splits into three portions, one of which passes through the carbons E F to the insulated contact-arm O, and thence by way ofthe devices supporting the core I to the frame N, and thence by way of circuit 1 2 to the negative terminal of the line L. This circuit when intact is of low resistance. The other portion of the current passes through the circuit 2 by way of the high-resistance solenoid H, and thence to the frame N to the negative terminal of the main line, via the circuit] 2.

The third portion of the current passes through the filament B by way of the circuit 3 to the same terminal. The arrows in the figure illustrate the paths of the current.

When it is required to flash a filament, the

parts are in the position shown in the drawing, an initial filament having been placed in the circuit 3, the globe thereof sealed, and v a hydrocarbon vapor or liquid passed into the globe through the pipe C. The carbon F 0 is now separated from the carbon E, so as to make an arc between the same of graduallyincreasing resistance. This forces the current through the circuit 2, containing the solenoid H, and through the filament contained in the circuit 3. The latter is rendered incandescent by the passage of the current, decomposes the hydrocarbon, and causes the same to deposit upon it. The

solenoid H also becomes energized, draw- 10o The frame N is connected to preferably The core I of the 55 posit upon the filament increases its resistance and the difierence of potential between its terminals also decreases, abstracting more current from the circuit 2 and causing an increase of current to pass over the circuit 3,

r 5 so that the core I will gradually rise as the resistance of the filament decreases until it reaches its highest point, when it will come in contact with the insulated arm 0, completing the circuit of the line Zthereby and automatizo cally shunting the filament, the carbons in circuit having been allowed to assume their normal position after the arc goes out. This operation may be timed by adjusting the apparatus so that the filament willbe shunted when it has reached anydesired cross-section. The

thumb-nut N can be regulated so as to produce this effect, or the solenoid H adjusted for this purpose. Itis necessary that the filaments be of the certain standard length; otherwise the variation in length, giving rise to a difference of resistance, would interfere With the success ful operation of the apparatus. The method and apparatus I have set forth makes the flashing of filaments entirely independent of 3 5 the pressure of the hydrocarbon gas, its temperature, and the time of flashing, as the filaments are automatically cut out of circuit whenever they reach the desired resistance and cross-section. It is obvious that the carbon contacts could be replaced by any variable resistance-a liquid one, if desired. Any number of filaments may be flashed at one time by arranging any number of apparatus in series in the circuit up to the capacity of 5 the generator.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the devices which I have shown as one embodiment of my invention may be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit of the same. I do not wish, therefore, to limit myself to the exact means described.

That I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is-- 1. An apparatus for flashing filaments, embodying a circuit containing the filament, which is immersed in ahydrocarbon bath, and two circuits emanating therefrom, in one of which is contained a variable resistance or circuit-controller, an electro-magnet in the circuit of the other operating to make and break the circuit containing the variable resistance, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. An apparatus for flashing filaments for incandescent lamps, embodying a circuit containing the filaments immersed in a hydrocarbon bath, a low variable-resistance circuit normally shunting the same, a second circuit of higher resistance containing an electromagnet in a constantly-closed circuit, and contact devices in said low variable-resistance circuit controlled by the operation of the aforesaid magnet, substantially as described.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a circuit 1, connected with a main line,circuits 1 2 3 emanating therefrom,the former containing avariable resistance E F or circuit-controller and a contact 0, the second containing a solenoid H, connected to the other terminal of the main line, and the third circuit containing the filament immersed in a hydrocarbon bath, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 2d day of September, 1887, in the presence of two subscribing witncsses.

IIERMANN LEMP. [.L.

Witnesses:

MERLE J. WIGHTMAN, WM. E. SHEPARD. 

